Portable thermocabinet



Feb. 18, 1958 w. REYNOLDS 2,823,902

PORTABLE THERMOCABINET QW-...f7

l 1N V EN TOR.

WILUAM .REYN oLos HIS ATTORNEYS Feb. 18, 1958 w.` REYNOLDS PORTABLE THERMOCABINET Filed Nov. 4, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR. WILLIAM REYNOLDS BY W@ HIS ATTO RN EYS Feb. 18, 1958 w. REYNOLDS PORTABLE THERMOCABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 4, `1952 INVENTOR. WILLIAM REYNOLDS HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 2,823,902 PORTABLE THERMOCABINET William Reynolds, Media, Pa. Application November 4, 1952, Serial No. 318,591 6 Claims. (Cl. 257-4) This invention relates to a refrigeration cabinet wherein various materials such as foods, medicines and the like may be stored under refrigeration and ultimately heated prior to removal from the cabinet. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable refrigeration storage chamber of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 3865, iiled January 23, 1948, now Patent No. 2,616,269, and is especially designed for storing a plurality of bottles of nursing milk, having appropriate means included in the refrigeration chamber whereby such bottles may be individually warmed with a minimum of handling and under sterile conditions.

Said prior application discloses a portable cabinet of the above specified type wherein a conventional type resistance heating element is positioned directly within the refrigeration chamber. This construction, while providing many inherent features not previously attained by prior art constructions, suffers from severe drawbacks which the instant invention intends to overcome. Particularly, it is a primary purpose of the instant invention to provide a simplied cabinet which will produce the same beneficial results with less expensive construction. It is a further purpose of the instant invent-ion to provide a highly utilitarian portable storage chamber having an inherent flexibility for various applications. Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a portable storage cabinet which may be operated on either an A. C. or D. C. power supply. A further object of the instant invention is the utilization of a radiant energy heating source whereby excessive handling of the heated object (milk bottle) is reduced. A still further object of the invention is the utilization of a single power source element for both refrigerating and heating, selectively and interchangeably. Other and more distinct objects will become apparent from the description and claims which follow.

Broadly, the invention may be described as consisting of a rectangular box-like cabinet divided into two separate compartments, a refrigerating and heating compartment and an apparatus or equipment compartment. The radiant energy heat source, which may comprise a conventional commercial type infrared heat lamp or a wire wound ceramic heat-ing unit, is positioned in the cabinet in such a manner that it will be normally directed towards a single isolated object, whereby the same may be heated or warmed to the exclusion of other objects included within the refrigeration chamber, and which is selectively controllable.

In a preferred form of the invention the radiant heater element performs a double function as the energy source for driving the refrigeration mechanism and also the energy source for heating objects positioned within the refrigeration chamber. In this form of the invention the heating element is positioned without the refrigeration chamber and cooperates with an absorption type refrigeration mechanism to periodically supply refrlgerant iny the conventional manner while being moveable to a second position in which the heat generated will be directed into a localized area within the refrigeration chamber.

In another form of the invention use is made of the conventional rotary motor driven compression type refrigeration equipment and the radiant energy heater element is mounted within the refrigeration chamber where it cooperates with a rotatable article support table for selectively heating individual articles on said table.

In still another form of the invention the radiant energy heater element is mounted without the refrigeration chamber, but in close proximity to the floor thereof and adapted to direct heat through an opening in such floor to warm an individual article placed over the opening. In this form of the invention the radiant energy heating element may also be mounted to translate between a first position in which it cooperates with an absorption type refrigeration mechanism as in the first form mentioned, and a second position in which it directs heat into a localized portion of such chamber.

In any form of the invention the radiant energy heating element or heat-motor may constitute an infrared lamp having a rating of 150 or 250 watts, or may alternatively comprise a ceramic reiiector or support mounting separate heating wires which are adapted to operate on A. C. or D. C. power sources alternately. When using the latter type heating element, the portable refrigeration cabinet may be operated from conventional home wiring circuits employing A. C., or from vehicular power sources employing D. C.

Having generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the drawings in which are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan, partially cut away view of one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partially cut away end view of the device of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a top section view illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a partial elevation view in section of a further modification of the invention;

Figs. 5 and 6 are partially cut away views illustrating a preferred subcombination component; and

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the modification shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the portable refrigerator cabinet is shaped to have a rectangular or box-like configuration similar to that of a suitcase. As shown in Fig. 1, the cabinet preferably comprises an outer metallic boundary wall 111 formed of sheet metal, galvanized iron or any other suitable material, and which encloses the entire unit. In practice the wall 111 will be covered with enamel or glazing compound to present a pleasing and sanitary appearance.

The area defined by the outer wall 111 is divided into two chambers or compartments and 110, respectively, by a separation wall or partition 114, 115; the former chamber constituting an apparatus or equipment compartment for housing the various type mechanisms for cooling the refrigerant, while the latter chamber constitutes a refrigeration storage compartment in which may be stored various items, such as nursing bottles B. The wall or partition section 114 may be an integral, congurated extension of an inner wall 112 disposed within the outer wall 111. The various boundary walls 111, 112, 114 and 115 cooperate together to define the rectangular chamber and may encompass internally disposed heat-insulating material such as glass fiber matting 113 and 116 whereby the chamber 110 is completely and eiiiciently insulated against heat transasaaaoa fer from within or without. the planar region of walls 114 and 115 separating the chambers 105 and 110, and in which is disposed a heat transmitting window .element 117 of suitable high heat transfer material such as fused quartz glass.V

A closure member or shutter 125 is positioned in the compartment 105 and pivots about the arbor or pin 127 to alternately cover and uncover the window 117.' This Vclosure member is .formed as a hollow rectangular structure as shown and includes internal heat insulationma- 'teriaL lA resilient cushion (such as soft rubber or neoprene) is positioned on the top surface of the shutter member 125 for a purpose hereinafter apparent.Vv A conventional vbiasing element such as a spiral spring mounted `,aboutthe pin 127 (not presently illustrated) normally biases the shutter element 125 to its window blocking position whereby the chamber 110 is completely enclosed within thermal-insulating material.

Access to the refrigeration chamber 110 is provided at one end thereof through the medium of a pivoted door 120 mounted on hinge members 121 (Fig. 1) to pivot in the plane of the gure and when opened lies ilush with the front vwall 111.V A conventional hand latch 122 is mounted on the door and cooperates with a locking bar secured to the casing, all in a conventional manner. AInside the chamber or compartment 110 is provided a recessed article well 119 (see Fig. 2) which functions as a retaining seat for single articles such as the nursing bottle B. An arcuate depression is formed in the wall 112 directly opposite the recessed hoor well 119 and in alignment with the window 117 in the opposing wall 114. This depression is shaped to have a relatively flat central curvature with sharper end. curvatures whereby incident rays will be reilected back upon the central portion of the region defined by the circumference of well 119. The window well and reflector surface 118 are so positioned that heat in the form of radiant energy directed through the window 117, will fall directly upon the nursing bottle or other article positioned in the receiving well and any rays which bypass such article will be reflected back upon it by the retiector surface 11S.

I The compartment 110 further includes a conventional shelf or support tray 123 mounted to overlie the quantity of nursing bottles or other objects stored in the lowered portion of the compartment. This tray or shelf may be conveniently constructed Vto be removable as for cleaning, etc. A particular advantage afforded by the location of shelf 123 is that it may be used to store canned baby foods which are normally merchandized in cans of 2 and 3 inch heights. Other solid foods may obviouslybe stored on such shelf. Immediately above the storage shelf 123 adjacent the top surface of the compartment is a cold wall 124 containing the usual evaporating tubes through Vwhich refrigerant circulates for the purpose of cooling and refrigerating the compartment. If desired, this cold wall may be formed in the shape of another shelf and may be placed at a lower position where it mayV serve as a second shelf upon which solid foods, small cans, jars and the like may be stored at low temperatures.

. In practice, the cabinet 100 is preferably formed to be between 18 and 24 inches high which permits the dimensioning Vof chamber 110 to lie between l5 and 19 inches, with` a width of approximately 31/2 to 4 inches. It will thus be seen that the compartment, while providing adequate storage space for nursing bottles of conventional designs, in addition to storage space for canned baby foods, jars and other solid foods and the like, does so well utilize all of the space available that the entire unit is rendered extremely compact and edicient in its functional applications. In this respect it will be noted, particularly with reference to Fig. 1, that the length of the compartment 110 is such that it per- An opening is formed in mits the stacking of eight to ten 8-ounce nursing bottles in staggered alignment within the compartment, with the foremost bottle beingpositioned in the receiving well 119, the actual dimensions of the length being preferably between 18 and 24 inches. It will be noted that the dimensions for the length, width and height of the refrigeration compartment also provide ample access space for the hand and arm' to insert or remove bottles and the likeY from the interior of the compartment.

ln the other compartment is positioned a radiant energy heat source or motor generally designated as and which includes a frusto-conical heating element mounted in a base member 135. The base element 135 includesintegral trunnions 136 which extend laterally on either side thereof and which are rotatably supported in bearing bosses 13S carried by stanchions 139. The right hand trunnion or arbor 136 eX- tends through the front wall of the casing and is bent at its external end to form an operating handle or lever which is adapted to be manually manipulated to oscillate the heat motor 130 into and out of the plane of the paper (see Fig. l). The support posts or stanchions 139 are mounted on a control box 150 housing an electrical network. The heat motor is electrically connected with the interior thereof by means of lead wires 1.44 and 146 (see Fig. 2). The control box 150 contains the usual mechanism for regulating the energizationV and deenergization of the refrigerating system in response to a thermostatic control unit.(not shown) mounted in the interior of the refrigeration compartment 110 in a manner well known in the art. The control box 159 may also include time actuated control means for energizing and deenergizing the refrigerating system throughout complete refrigerating cycles. y The network of the box is adapted to be connected to a power source by means of a lead wire which extends fr'om the box to a iianged storage spindle or drum positioned within a depression 161 in the side wall of the cabinet. The external flanged surface of the spindle or drum 165 is positioned to lie iiush with the plane of the sidewall 111 whereby the wire cord 155 may be conveniently wound up upon such spindle or drum when not in use so that the same may be safely protected. A conventional electrical plug is mounted on the end of the lead cord 155 and is adapted to make contact with electrical power receptacles.

As previously stated, the heating element 13) is adapted to oscillate'between a first vertical position (Fig. 2) and a second horizontal position (Fig. l). In its first active position the heating element directly underlies the boiler portion (Fig. 2)'of an absorption type refrigerating system and is adapted to directly heat such boiler to generate refrigerant whereby the storage cornpartment 114) may be systematically cooled and reeooled. ln its lower or horizontal position the heating unit 130 lies directly opposite the window 117 and is so positioned that itV directs the full force of its heat through such window and onto the article positioned within the recess well 119to warm it. A suitable detent means such as leaf spring 132 is carried by the side wall 111 of the cabinet and cooperates with register depressions 133 and 134 in the side and end walls of easing135 to yieldably retain theheatingdevice in either of its operative positions.

No details of the refrigerating mechanism per se have been illustrated since'the general construction of such is well known and will include, in addition to the boiler Whichris partially illustrated, the usual tubing, evaporators, condenser-s, etc. One particular feature of the instant invention which isV inherent in the utilization lof absorption type refrigeration mechanism is that such system is rendered efficient for refrigeration cabinets of the size here considered, since the rectangular construction of the unit, and the apparatus compartment in particular, permits the orderly orientation ofthe various elemental components whereby a large portion of the materials normally involved in absorption type refrigerators may be eliminated, as for example, elimination of lengthy connecting conduits. Further, the amount of refrigerant required for a cabinet of the size herein considered need not exceed a 1/2 ton capacity since the cabinet is normally constructed to have less than a one cubic foot volume.

Another feature attributable to the utilization of an absorption type refrigerating system resides in the fact that such type system may be used with any type of heating unit capable of producing temperatures in a region of 300 F. and the maximum necessary input per cycle required for the absorption generator would approximate l650 B. t. u., which is equivalent to slightly over 100 watts. It will therefore be apparent that a light weight heat source or motor which has an output ternperature in the neighborhood of 300 F. would suffice for the instant purposes. One such source which fulfills the desired requirements is a conventional infrared radiant energy heat lamp having an efficiency in the neighborhood of 85 to 95 percent. Specifically, an infrared lamp having a rating of to 250 watts, which is commercially available, will provide the necessary generation of heat for driving the absorption refrigeration system. A second form of radiant energy heat source, which is also relatively light weight and highly efficient, may comprise a wire wound ceramic heating element (a more particularly description of which follows) which is so constructed that essentially all of the generated heat is concentrated and redirected along a central axis in a single direction. This latter type of heat motor construction is an offshoot of a perfect radiator or black body radiator and may be operated from an A. C. or D. C. power source. The heating device 130 may comprise either of these type heating units.

Having generally described the physical characteristics of my novel portable storage cabinet, reference will now be made to the manner in which the same operates. The normal position for the heating element 130 is illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein it extends vertically to a point almost in contact with the underside of the boiler 180. The heating unit may thus serve to generate refrigerant under the control of the control elements mounted within box 150 as dictated by thermostatic control with respect to temperature variations in chamber 110. With this arrangement the operation of the refrigeration mechanism is entirely automatic in a manner well known in the art. A suitable stop and start control, such as push button 153, may be provided in the control mechanism of box 150 and so positioned that it extends through the front end wall of chamber 105 whereby the refrigeration apparatus may be energized or deenergized at will.

When in use, the storage compartment 110 is initially loaded with the usual daily requirement of nursing milk averaging approximately 8 to l0 nursing bottles B (some of which may contain orange juice, water, etc.) which having been sterilized and subsequently filled in a single operation may be immediately transferred to the compartment 110 in order that no germs, contaminating organisms, or the like may enter or deposit on the same. During the loading of the compartment the final bottle corresponding to the next feeding requirement may be directly positioned within the recess well 119 so that it is automatically located for a subsequent heating operation. Thereafter, when it is desired to heat a further bottle, all that one need do is to manipulate the handle 132 to bring the heating unit 130 into its horizontal position whereby the heat generated by the same is directed upon the major volume of the bottle via the window 117. When unit 130 is swung from the vertical to the horizontal position the forward end of the heater element 140 abuts the cushion member 126 on shutter 125 and causes the same to pivot about pin 127 to uncover vthe window 117. Preferably the pivoting of the heating element from its vertical to horizontal position also energizes a circuit control member such as plunger 154 located immediately under the casing of the heating device 130 to complete a circuit for providing maximum output in device 130. As shown, the plunger 154 may be normally resiliently biased to abut against the casing 135 when the device is in its vertical position and upon pivoting of the device to the horizontal position moves upwardly under such bias to complete a circuit for energizing the heating element. It will thus be seen that the warming of the previously refrigerated bottle begins immediately upon manipulation of the lever 132 without any further need for supervision by the operator. In practice the efficiency of the heat transfer between device 130 and the bottle B is of such high order that the heating of the bottle from an average refrigerated temperature of approximately 40 F. to the recommended bottle temperature of 70 is completed in between l and 2 minutes and in all cases under 5 minutes.

In a preferred form of the invention the control circuit contained within box also includes a time responsive element such as a bimetallic switch for deenergizing the heating device 130 after an operating period between 1 to 5 minutes. Suitable adjusting mechanism may be provided to project from the control box 150 through the front wall of chamber 105 for varying the heating period in accordance with constructions and circuit designs well known in the electrical art. Alternatively, the time control structure may be dispensed with and a suitable visual or audible alarm provided. In cases where substances other than nursing milk, such as coffee or the like, requiring a longer heating period'are desired to be warmed, the heat motor 130 may be selectively controlled by the sequential operation of the main control push button 153 which is connected to energize and deenergize the heating unit independently of the temperature responsive and other controls.

By utilizing a radiant energy heating source consisting of infrared radiations exclusively, and by localizing the heating effect of such heat through the positioning of the article in a remote portion of the refrigeration compartment between the window 117 and reflector surface 118, nursing bottles may be selectively and individually warmed without unduly raising the temperature of the surrounding area within the chamber 110. This is in part due to the fact that long wave length radiations do not warm intervening air and the milk is opaque to infrared wave lengths while the glass of the nursing bottle is substantially transparent thereto, whereby the major portion of the heat becomes directly concentrated within the milk and little heat is carried away through convection.

Further, the location of the heating area immediately in front of the doorway 120 and the relatively short heating period utilized, permits the discharge of the heated air from the compartment immediately after heating the article, through the medium of opening door 120 to remove the heated article; the hot air moving out of the compartment by convection.

An alternative form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 3. In this form of the invention the cabinet 200 is formed to have a substantially rectangulariy box-like configuration similar to that indicated in Fig. l; however, the forward end wall, and if desired the back also, is formed to have an arcuate curvature whereby the device assumes the outline of an ovated cylinder standing on end. The cabinet is again divided into a refrigeration storage chamber 210 and a refrigerating mechanism chamber 20S through the medium of partition walls 214 and 215 enclosing thermal insulating medium 216. In this form of the invention, the refrigerating mechanism is preferably of the conventional compression cycle type employing the usual rotating motor, compressor, etc. On one side of the chamber 210 is positioned a doorway including a door 220 mounted to pivot on hinge elements 221 and Y:may directly overlie the heating unit.

adapted tobe securely latched by means of a manually operated latch 222, all in accordance with conventional constructions. In the forward end of the compartment 210 is'mounted a rotatable turntable 250 supporting a plurality of arcuate cylindrical sections 260 oriented with respect to each other to form a plurality of radially opened receptacle chambers or niches about the periphery of the turntable 250. Each of these separate niches lor chambers is adapted to individually support and retain a nursing bottle of Yconventional design. The turntable may be mountedon a stationary spindle or arbor positioned in the rloor of compartment 210 and between which suitable detent means of conventional design may be interposed to sequentially lock the turntable in a position wherein a niche or receptacle compartment 260 is always positioned directly in front of a heating unit 236.

The heating unit comprises an infrared heat lamp 240 mounted within a supporting ceramic, or like material, insulating base or socket 235 which in turn is positioned within an opening 217 in the partition wall of the cabinet. Electric lead wires 246 and 244 connect the socket 235 and lamp 240 with control mechanism (not presently illustrated) similar in construction to that illustrated in Figs. l and 2 and which may comprise a push button control element for energizing and deenergizing the lamp 240.

In this form of the invention the nursing bottles are loaded into the compartment 210 through the doorway 220 onto the turntable 250 and positioned in the individual receptacle chambers defined by the configuration of the reflector members 260. The loading may proceed as the turntable is rotated by hand so that upon completion'of the operation each of the receptacle chambers contains one bottle, one of which lies directly in front of the lamp 240 as shown in the drawing `at B. With this innovation all that one need do to heat a bottle such as B is to energize the llamp 240 in the manner previously described and to subsequently deenergize such lamp at the completion of the heating period (which, if desired, may occur automatically as previously indicated). Thereafter the door 220 may be opened, the turntable revolved one notch in a counterclockwise direction to position the bottle B' directly in front of the door, the bottle B' removed therefrom and the door subsequently closed. lt will thus be seen that the next bottle in alignment, B2, will be then positioned directly in front of the heat lamp 240 in readiness for the next heating operation. Alternately, if it is desired to return a bottle to the compartment which has not been emptied and to insure that such partially filled bottle will be used first, all one need do is to rotate the turntable in the reverse direction (clockwise), position the partially filled bottle in the previously emptied receptacle chamber or niche and continue rotation of the turntable to realign the compartment and partially lled bottle with the heat lamp 240.

One of the distinguishing features of the abovedescribed form of the invention is its simplicity of construction in conjunction with simplicity Vof handling the bottles or other items. It will also be noted that this form of the invention provides equally sterile conditions in a manner similar to that indicated for the construction of Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates a still further modication of the invention in which the refrigerating equipment compartment 305 is located beneath the refrigeration storage chamber 310. This construction is particularly suitable for vehicular use wherein the heating unit 330 may be used to heat various items other than nursing milk, as for example, coffee and other liquids, prepared sandwiches, canned foods, etc. As shown, this form of the invention employs a construction wherein the refrigeration compartment has a centrally located opening in the door thereof in which is disposed an article supporting tray 319 in order that the item desired to be heated The heating element `340 of unit 330 is supported in a base member 335 in a mannerpreviously'described and is connected via lead wires 344 and 346 to a control box 350, all in a manner indicated previously. YThe heating unit, however',` is suspended beneath the floor of the refrigeration chatn-1 ber by means of a support member 345 which is so shaped as to enclose insulation about the exterior of the heating element whereby substantially all of the heat generated is contained and caused to be directed vertically upward along the axis of the heating unit to provide an extremely eicient heat transfer. Member 345 is pivotally sup ported by means of a hinge element 348 and is retained in its operative position by means of a spring latch 349. Suitable leads 355 extend from the control box 350 and through which the heating unit may be directly connected with a source of electrical power. Preferably the heating element 34u comprises a wire wound resistance heating element to be described more fully subsequently and is adapted to operate on the 6 volt D. C. power source of conventional automotive vehicles as well as conventional 115 to 120 volt A. C. home circuits.

if desired, the construction illustrated in Fig. 4 may be modified in the manner indicated previously with respect to Fig. l in order that the heating unit may function as both the power source for warming various foodstuffs and also for driving the refrigeration system. In such` case a suitable control lever with any convenient type of trunnion mounting structure may be provided for the heating element whereby the device may be alternately oscillated between a vertical position (as shown) to heat foodstuffs or a horizontal position wherein the leading surface of the heating element would be disposed directly opposite a boiler or generator of an absorption type refrigeration system to function in a manner closely analogous to that described with respect to the Fig. 1 construction. Alternatively, a window similar to 117 of Fig. l may be interposed in the passageway 317.

This form of the invention provides an extremely compact and pleasingly contoured cabinet as Vis more fully indicated in Fig. 7 wherein the cabinet is shown to be very similar to conventional type suitcases. As shown, the refrigerator door 320 is mounted to pivot in a vertical direction, and in its lowermost position forms a work supporting shelf immediately in front of the refrigeration storage unit. This construction renders the device very suitable for picnics and other outings of like nature where through the medium of the preferred type heat motor, it may be operated from a vehicle power source.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate one form of a radiant energy heating device or heat motor in which the heating element consists of a ceramic cone member 40 having integral centrally directed rib members 41 upon which are wound (an A. C. resistance type heater wire 44 and a D. C. resistance type heater wire 46. The heating element 40 is preferably terminated in a frustro-conical section at its narrow diameter and is integrally united with a terminal element 20 similar to the conventional commercial type utilized for three-way lamps. This terminal element comprises an upper conductive, Vthreaded portion 20V and an insulated end section 21 having a metallic conductive ring insert 22 and a centrally disposed conductive button 23 formed therein. The threaded end of the heating element 40 is adapted to cooperate with a ceramic socket member 35 formed to have conductive metallized threads 10 in the upper portion thereof which cooperate with the threaded conductive portions 20 of the terminal element. The ceramic base member 35 also includes a conductive insert ring 12 and a centrally disposed conductive insert plug or button 14. The ring 12 is positioned to directly oppose the ring 22 and the plug 14 to oppose the button 23 when the heating element 40 is fully threaded into the socket 35. One end each of the wires 44 and 46 are connected to terminate in the Y conductive button 23 while the other end of wire 44 may terminate in the metallized threaded band 20, and the other end of wire 46 terminates in conductive ring `22. With this arrangement theV button 23 and plug 14 form a circuit completing connection functioning as a common lead for either A. C. or D. C. power application, while the threaded conductive portion in conjunction with the threaded terminal portion functions as an A. C. circuit completing component, and the aligned conductive rings 12 and 22 function as a D. C. circuit connecting component. Lead members 1, 2, 3 and 4 extend from the respective conductive portions supported by the ceramic base 35. The leads 1 and 2 are connected with ring 12 and the central plug 14 respectively, and terminating in an outer connecting plug element 5 similar to those commercially available for insertion in the cigar lighter receptacles on the dashboard of conventional vehicles. The leads 3 and 4 are connected with the conductive portion 10 and the central plug 14 respectively and terminates in a male plug member 6 for connecting the heating device in circuit with conventional household A. C. power supplies.

It will be apparent from the above description that the unit provides an excellent and simple source of radiant heat which is inherently constructed to function from A. C. or D. C. power supplies. It will also be apparent that the construction of the `same is relatively simple Vand inexpensive and may be assembled from conventional commercial components without the necessity of intricate maching or nishing operations. It will be appreciated that bayonet type connections may be used in lieu of the threaded connections illustrated.

One of the prime advantages of the latter type heat motor is its flexibility. Another advantage is its highly eicent heat transfer coeiicient which is undoubtedly attributable to the fact that it functions in a manner analogous to a perfect or black body radiator.

A further advantage of the instant type heat motor construction is that the heating elements may be interchanged with other types, as for example, the infrared lamp illustrated in Fig. 3. It will be obvious that the unit 30 of Fig. 5 may be thus used interchangeably with a wound wire resistance heating element or an infrared lamp, and that either assembly may be used, as desired, in all of the forms of the invention previously described. In the case of the Fig. l construction,for example, the plural A. C. and D. C. leads may both beV supported on the storage drum 165, and if desired, a suitable separating flange or other convenient structure interposed between each.

Alternatively, it will further be appreciated that the revolvable article support tray construction of Fig. 3 may be used with an absorption type refrigerating system such as that illustrated in Fig. 1. In fact, it may be generally stated that the separate components of each form of the invention are interchangeable with each and provide an extremely flexible generic scheme for various commercial applications. As a further example of this demonstrative fact, it will be noted that the xedly disposed heat-motor construction of Fig. 4 may be substituted for the motor unit 130 of Fig. 1 in conjunction with the substitution of a rotary motor operated compression cycle type refrigerating apparatus (such as is disclosed in said copending application) for the absorption system therein illustrated. Alternatively, the heatmotor 330 of Fig. 4 may be mounted in a manner analogous to that of motor 130 in Fig. l and adapted to cooperate with a similar type absorption refrigerating system.

In any form of the invention the cabinet is easily portable and may weigh less than thirty-live pounds. Further, the compact and well-balanced construction of the unit permits it to be easily carried by one hand, as by a handle or strap (see Fig. 7).

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments hereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable cabinet for storing articles of foodstuffs and the like under refrigeration and for heating individual articles in a selective manner comprising, a unitary cabinet structure, said structure being divided into a refrigerating compartment and a machinery compartment, insulating means thermally isolating said refrigerating compartment, a refrigeration system disposed in said machinery compartment including apparatus for reducing the temperature of a refrigerant, heat exchange means positioned in said refrigerating compartment and connected to said refrigerating system whereby said refrigerating compartment is cooled, a source of a concentrated beam of radiant energy positioned within said machinery compartment, said source being disposed in heat exchange relationship with the atmosphere therein, a passageway in said insulating means connecting said refrigerating compartment with said machinery compartment, said radiant energy heat source being disposed in said machinery compartment in a position to direct radiant heat through said passageway into a localized portion of said refrigerating compartment, a heat transparent Window element disposed within said passageway for permitting said radiant heat to penetrate one of said articles disposed within said localized portion of said refrigerated compartment, a shutter member of insulating material removably disposed in line with said passageway and said window for substantially completely thermally isolating said refrigerating compartment when said source of radiant energy is inoperative, mounting means supporting said shutter for movement in and out of alignment with said passageway and window, and control means operatively associated with said source of radiant energy and with said shutter and mounting means for removing said shutter from said passageway when said source is emitting said beam and for interposing said shutter when said beam is turned off.

2. A portable cabinet as set forth in claim l wherein a receptacle for one of said articles is disposed within said localized portion of said refrigerating compartment, and said receptacle is disposed between said passageway and a reflector means, and said reflector means is constructed and arranged to reect incident rays upon the central portion of said localized region wherein said article is normally positioned.

3. A portable cabinet as set forth in claim l wherein said refrigeration system is an absorption type system including a boiler, rotatable means mounts said radiant energy heat source within said machinery compartment, said rotatable means permits said heat source to be directed in a first position to project heat into said boiler and in a second position in which its heat is directed through said passageway, and automatic control means is operatively engaged with said heat source and said shutter for opening said shutter and energizing said heat source when it is in said second position directing heat through said passageway into said localized portion of said refrigerating compartment and for closing said shutter when said heat source is in said first position directing heat at the boiler of said absorption type system.

4. A portable edible substance storage cabinet of the type herein described comprising, a unitary cabinet structure, said cabinet being divided into two compartments, one of said compartments comprising a refrigerated storage chamber, the other of said compartments comprising a chamber for supporting the refrigeration mechanism, refrigeration mechanism disposed in said latter chamber and including structure communicating with said refrigerated chamber to control the temperature therein, and a radiant energy heat motor mounted in said cabinet and adapted to direct radiant heat towards and into a localized portion of said refrigerated chamber, said refrigerating mechanism comprising an absorption type refrigeration system including a boiler member, and said radiant heat source comprising a unitary heating device positioned without said refrigerated chamber and including structure mounting the same for translation between a rst position in which the heat generated thereby is directed into said boiler or to a second position in which the heat generated thereby is directed into said localized portion of said refrigerated chamber.

A 5. A portable edible substance storage cabinet of the type herein described comprising a unitary cabinet structure, said cabinet being divided into two compartments, one of said compartments comprising a refrigerated storage chamber, the other of said compartments comprising a chamber for supporting the refrigeration mechanism, refrigeration mechanism disposed in said latter chamber and including structure communicating with said refrigerated chamber to control the temperature therein, and a radiant energy heat motor mounted in said cabinet and adapted to direct radiant heat towards and into a localized portion of said refrigerated chamber, said refrigeration mechanism being of the absorption type and including a boiler member, and means selectively controlling,y said radiant energy heat motor to direct heat in cooperation with said refrigeration mechanism into said boiler or said refrigerated chamber selectively.

6. A portable edible substance storage cabinet of the type set forth in claim 5 in which said radiant energy heat motor comprises a frustoconical base member, a heating element for developing radiant energy supported in said base member including electrical conductive portions, electrical conductive portions formed in said base member and in circuit connection with said electrical conductive portions of said heating element, and a plurality of electrical leads extending from said base member and a first pair of leads connected to complete a circuit between two of said conductive portions carried by said base member and a second pair of leads connected to complete a circuit between the other of said conductive portions carried by said base member and one of said previous portions whereby one of said portions functions as a common terminal, said pairs of lead wires being physically constructed for A. C. and D. C. operation, respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,922,150 Beresh Aug. l5, y1933 2,068,079 Schwartz Jan. 19, 1937 2,209,099 Grueneklee July 23, 1940 2,223,234 Stemme Nov. 26, 1940 2,309,513 Kramer Ian. 26, 1943 2,449,874 Bruning Oct. 2l, 1948 2,488,161 Benson et al. Nov. 15, 1949 2,584,435 Doerr Feb. 5, 1952 2,616,269 Reynolds Nov. 4, 1952 2,622,222 Hageman Dec. 16, 1952 2,627,014 Kolb Ian. 27, 1953 2,658,984 Mohn Nov. 10, 1953 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CQRRECTION Peteni No 2,823,902 February 18, 1958 William Reynolds It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

"weight" inseriJ me efficienil ma=; line 3C),

Column 5, line :L8y after column 9y line 26, for

for "particularly" read perticular "marching" reed machining Signed end sealed this 22nd day of April 1958o (SEAL) Atest: KARL Li, AXLINE ROBERT C, wATsoN AbbeBbng Officer Conmissioner of Patents U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION' Patent Nm 833,902 February i8, 1958 William Reynolds It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as `corrected below.

column 5, iin@ le, after "weight" insert am efficient ma; line 3o, for "particularly" reed mpartieular um; column 9), line 26, for "meshing" read ma machining nu Signed and sealed this 22nd day of April 1955*o (SEAL) Attest:

KARL H" AXLINE ROBERT C. wATsoN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

